A Supreme Court judge in Tonga has described the rape of a pregnant woman last year as a “predatory and callous” crime.
Handing down a five year sentence to the 17 year old accused, Hon. Justice Cato said the trauma of the rape had seriously affected both the complainant and her husband, reports Kaniva News.
He said the baby had not been harmed.
“I have listened to the complainant in Court, as she bravely recounted her experience and said she forgave the complainant, and indeed asked for leniency for him.
“Some gifts have been made by the family in the Tongan way,” the judge said.
Hon. Justice Cato said the prisoner knew the woman was pregnant and that her children were nearby. He also used a knife to intimidate her.
The accused was also sentenced to three years for housebreaking. The sentence will be served at the same time as the penalty for rape.
The rape took place on September 25 last year.
The judge said the prisoner’s apology had been accepted.
The final 1 month of the accused’s sentence has been remitted on condition that he lives where directed by his probation officer, does not to drink alcohol and attends courses on drug and alcohol rehabilitation and in relation to the sexual abuse of women.